Device for indicating the outline of the back.



E. C. BERRIMAN.

DEVICE FOR I ND|GATING THE OUTLINE OF THE BACK.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 26,1916- Patented July 24, 1917.

EDWARD C. BEBRIMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR INDICATING THE OUTLINE OF THE BACK.

Application filed December 26, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD C. BERRIMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Indicatingthe Outline of the Back, of which the following is a specification.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a device of simple andinexpensive construction which may be readily manipulated to present aconformation corresponding to the curvature of the back of an individualand which, in connection with suitable measurements, enables the correctcon struction of a coat to fit the individual figure.

The custom tailor receiving orders by mail from customers who submitmeasurements which the tailor has no opportunity to verify and who donot present themselves for a personal fitting experiences considerableclifficulty in constructing perfect fitting coats owing to the varietyof characteristics which distinguish each individual. Among the mostdifficult and necessary lines of the figure is the curvature of the backwhich usual measurements do not satisfactorily establish. With thiscurvature as a datum, however, a tailor of ordinary accomplishments isenabled with the aid of a few simple measure ments to construct a coatwhich will fit the form of the individual measured.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as it isbetter understood by reference to the following specification when readin connection with the accompanying drawing, illustrating the preferredembodiment thereof, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the formillustrating its application to the figure;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the form;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the form, and

Fig. l is an enlarged detail in horizontal section.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates an inflexible member which ispreferably straight and may be constructed of wood or other suitablematerial, wood being preferred by reason of its lightness. A flexiblemember 2, preferably comprising a relatively narrow strip of sheetmetal, is adapted to conform to the back ofan individual and ismaintained in the desired spaced relation to the member 1 by a pluralityof rods 3 having loops 4 at their inner ends to embrace Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented July 2st, 191%.

Serial No. 138,814.

the flexible member 2 and knobs 5 at their outer ends. The rods 3 aredisposed through suitable openings 6 in the member 1 at spacedintervals, and screws 7, preferably provided with winged heads 8, areadapted to engage and clamp the rods 3 after they have been arranged asindicated in Fig. 1 to retain the curvature of the flexible member 2. Atab 2 at the upper end of the flexible member 2 is adapted to be bent toindicate the slope of the collar.

Adjacent the waist and hips the member 1 is provided with a plurality ofopenings 9, preferably tapered to selectively receive pegs 10 toindicate the points at which the waist and hip measurements are taken.These points vary widely in different individuals but the positions ofthe pegs 10 indicate clearly to the tailor the exact points at which themeasurements were taken in each individual case so that he is enabled toreadily reconstruct the figure.

It is my purpose that the tailor send one of my devices to eachprospective customer with instructions for adjusting it and forobtaining the cooperating measurements. The customer will with theassistance of some other person apply the flexible member to his back,adjusting the rods 3 until the flexible member conforms exactly to thefigure. The rods 3 will then be clamped by the screws 7. The tab 2 willbe bent to the slope of the collar. Chest, waist, hip and such othermeasurements as are desirable willvbe secured, the positions at whichthe waist and hip measurements are taken being indicated on theinflexible member 1 by the pegs 10. The device together with themeasurements will then be returned to the tailor who is thereby enabledto construct a form which is identical with that of the customer. Uponthis form the coat may be fitted.

It will be readily understood that my invention enables the customer toplace in the hands of the tailor exact information as to the curvatureof his back and the poise of his body and neck so that, with theaddition of a few simple measurements, the tailor will readily acquire aclear understanding of the form and poise of the customer. This enablesthe tailor to construct and drape a coat to fit the customer to anicety. As hereinbefore indicated the fitting and draping of the coatmay be facilitated by first constructing a form with the device adjustedand the measurements furnished by the customer to correspond with hisfigure and this form may be indefinitely preserved. The device is simpleand inexpensive in construction and is sufliciently durable to lastindefinitely. Changes in the form, construction and arrangement of theparts may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention or sacrificing any of its material advantages, the form hereindescribed, however, being What I now regard as the preferred embodimentof the invention. Instead of using the device for making a form, ashereinbefore mentioned, it can be employed in making a pattern for usein the ordinary Way, but With better results because of the greateraccuracy of such a pattern in indicating the contour of the back andpoise of the neck and head of the customer. 7

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of aninflexible member, a flexible member adapted to conform to the back ofan individual, a tab at the upper end of said flexible member adapted tobe bent to indicate the slope of the collar and means for adjustablyholding said flexible member in spaced relation to said inflexiblemember.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a straightinflexible member, a flexible member adapted to conform to the back ofan individual, a tab at the upper end of said flexible member adapted tobe bent to indicate the slope of the collar and a plurality of spacedmeans for adjustably holding said flexible member in spaced relation tosaid inflexible member.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a straightinflexible member, a flexible member adapted to conform to the back ofan individual, a tab at the upper end of said flexible member adapted tobe bent to indicate the slope of the collar, a plurality of spaced meansfor adjustably holding said flexible member in spaced relation to saidinflexible member, and means for locking said spaced means in adjustedposition.

4:- In a device of the character described, the combination of aninflexible member, a flexible member adapted to conform to the back ofan individual, spaced means for ad justably holding said flexible memberin spaced relation to said inflexible member, a plurality of openings insaid inflexible member, and pegs adapted for selective insertion in saidopenings to mark the Waist and hip line of the individual.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a straightinflexible member, a flexible member adapted to conform to the back ofan individual, a plurality of rods slidably mounted in said inflexiblemember and having loops embracing said flexible member, screws in saidinflexible member to engage and lock said rods in adjusted position, aplurality of openings in said inflexible member, and pegs adapted forselective insertion in said openings-to mark the Waist and hip line ofthe individual.

EDWARD o. BERRIMAN.

Witnesses:

7M. 0. BELT, M. A. KIDDIE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

